The Scriptures tell us to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20
We’ve talked about how to do that in difficult circumstances.
But what about in my sin and failure? Does God want me to rejoice when I sin?
This is such an important question for us to ask and to get right! The biblical answer gives us an extraordinary revelation of the character of God. And it gives us a vital secret to a life of strength and holiness.
Let’s explore the Scriptures together.
We begin in the book of Nehemiah.
The context is a return of the people of God to their homeland after a long period of exile.
They had drifted into gross corruption and idolatry.
Because they refused to listen to the prophets and repent, God judged them and gave them over to their enemies.
In his grace, God opened a way for them to return home.
He gave them good leaders who rallied the people together for a public reading of the Word of God. The opening of the Scriptures shed light on their condition and revealed massive sin and disobedience.
The people were overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow.
What happens next is the key to our study.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:9-10
What did the sorrowful people of God need in their moment of deep repentance?
The joy of the Lord.
That might not be the first thing that comes to mind for most of us.
The joy of the LORD is a neglected attribute!
The Joy of the Lord
he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
1 Timothy 6:15
Blessed: from the root word to expand; fortunate, full, happy.
The Joy of the Lord in creation.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
Psalm 65:8b
then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.
Proverbs 8:30
The trinitarian experience of joy.
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
Luke 10:21
The Joy of the Lord over his people.
For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
The word exult comes from a Hebrew root for spinning around in circles.
The LORD is a glad, singing God!
I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
The Joy of the Lord in the restoration of all things.
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
Isaiah 65:17-19
The Joy of the Lord for repentant sinners.
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:7
Repentance is the doorway to feasting.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:19
In the joy of feasting there is worship, true fellowship and strength.
Sin is a failure to feast and repentance from sin is a return to feasting.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
1. Repentance is a regular & universal activity.
Everyone needs it!
2. Repentance is a temporary & transitional activity.
Repentance is not the destination but the door of the Christian life.
3. Repentance is a necessary & smart activity.
You can have sin or you can have Jesus – when you understand the joy of the Lord, the choice is easy!
When you sin . . .
1. Acknowledge the full weight of sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
Psalm 51:3-4a
2. Claim the promise of grace in Jesus.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1
3. Confess and make restitution if necessary. (James 5:16)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16
4. Rejoice in the joy and fellowship of the Lord! (Nehemiah 8:10)
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown